Concentrating apparatus.



PATBNTED F118. 11, 1908. P. 1". HAMBRIG. CONCBNTRATING APPARATUS.

APPLIGATIN FILED SEPT. 30, 1907.

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P. T. HAMBRIG.

CONCBNTRATING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION PILED SEPT. 30, 1907.

.m PATBNTBD P8811, 1908.

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UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEroE.

PERLE T. HAMBRIC, OF SUTTER CREEK, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO WILTON E. DARROW, OF SUTTER CREEK, CALIFORNIA.

CON CENTRATING APPARATU Speccation of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 11, 1908.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known thatI, PERLE T, HAMBRIG, citizen of United States, residing at Sutter Creek, in the county of Amador and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Concentrating Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to apparatus for concentrating the met alliferous particles of valu ebearing ores, and pertains especially to a type of apparatus known as canvas-plants.

The main purpose of an a paratus of this character is to effect an e 'cient primary concentration to bring up the percentage of values from say fifty cents or a dollar a ton to four or live dollars a ton, so as to render profitable the future handling of naturally low grade ore.

The object of this invention is to provide a continuous, automatic, self-washing canvasplant of large capacity, which shall take up ittle room, and which shall be cheap to manufacture and install, and economical of maintenance.

The invention consists of the parts and the construction and combination of parts as hereinafter more fully described and claimed, having reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 lis a vertical section of my apparatus taken on line X-X of Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a plan view of same.

A represents a suitable central supporting shaft or column carrying the frame 2, which is of any appropriate description, and on which is mounted one or more series of annular tables or concentrating surfaces 3-3-3a, etc. The frame is suitably braced, as by the stay-rods 2'., which are adjustable by the turnbuckles 2a.

The tables or concentrating surfaces 3-3, etc., are arranged circumferentially of the frame 2, and each table is covered with canvas or other suitable material to which the heavier particles of ore and metal will' cling. The tables of each series comprise successive segments with a discharge over their outer edge, which discharge is accomplished by gravity and centrifugal force, or by centrifugal force alone. However, it is to be said that the rate of rotation of the frame 2 is not such as to operate against a proper degree of concentration. Any appropriate means may be employed to rotate the tables, as, for example, the worm gearing a.

Each series of tables may be made adjustable to vary the inclination of the tables; the tables being pivoted to frame 2 at 4 and being adjustable by the screws 5, which lit slots 6 in fixed parts of the frame 2.

There are as many series or decks of these tables mounted on the one frame and all revolving in unison, as may be desired, or as the requirements of the mill may demand.

I have here shown a plural series of tables, 3-3-8a, arranged one above the other, for the purpose of handling a large output in a minimum amount of space. Manifestly this number may be increased or diminished as circumstances require. The invention comprehends, also, the use of one series alone.

Arranged above the inside edge of the series of tables is a seriesv of continuous launders 7-7-7a, corresponding to the several table series, and which launders are supported by, and rotate with, the frame 2. The bottom of each launder 7 is made with a series of alternately upward and downward inclinations or undulations, with a high part of the bottom of a launder adjacent the meeting edges of two tables, and the bottom sloping olf each side to the opposite edges of this same pair of tables. From each depression in' each launder leads a delivery pipe 8 which discharges into a respective distributing box 8. Each table of each series has a like distributing box 8.

From a box 8 the water and material is distributed to two subj acent tables by a corresponding distributing plate 9. p The plates 9 are preferably provided each with a series of radiating ribs or riffles l0, by which the material is equitably distributed to-all parts of these particular tables. The distributing plates` 9 and the boxes 8 like the launders 7, etc., are xed to', and rotate with, the frame 2.

The launders are preferably all arranged in the same plane, as shown, for compactness, and for other practical reasons.

Each series of tables has its own launder, and each depression of each launder has its corresponding box 8 and distributing plate 9 feeding' to a corresponding pair of tables. By this arrangement there are half as many distributing boxes and distributing plates for each series of tables as there are tables in the series.

' The delivery into a box 8 takes place at the top, and the discharge therefrom prefersuitable conduits 12-12-12a.

ably takes place from the sides; and the size of the boX is such that the material and water delivered thereinto will be momentarily in such a confined space, that as it flows out at the side on to the distributing plate, the riflies 10 will split the material and water up into a number of equal streams, so that each part of each table will get an equal share of material and water, irrespective of the rotative action of the frame. Without the use of the riffles 1() there would be a tendency for all the material to bank up against one side of one of the tables.

Any suitable means may be employed todeliver the material in suitable quantities into each launder. As here shown, l have arranged a series of stationary segmental troughs 11-111-11b above and relative to the launders, and have connectedeach one of these troughs at suitable intervals with a corresponding launder 7-7, etc., through These feed troughs receive the material to be acted upon by the apparatus from any source of supply, as at l). The troughs are supported inde.- pendent of the rotating frame, and the connections 12, etc., are such that delivery from the troughs will take place continuously into the respective launders. These feed troughs, however, do not extend entirely around the apparatus, but a suitable space indicated between the ends 13-14c of the troughs is left, in which space the collection of the values on the tables may take place, as will be explained shortly.

15 is a water-pipe arranged over each series of tables between the ends 13-14 of the feed troughs. This pipe is perforated and adapted to discharge a spray of Water on to the tables to wash ofil the concentrated values thereon, as each table comes beneath the spray of that series. Usually the space between the ends of the feed troughs will correspond to two or three table sections, and it is during the traverse of the tables through this space that the sprays act on the tables and wash off their collected values. Of course, during the time that the tables are passing through this space between the ends of the troughs, no new material is being delivered on to these particular tables.

When the tables to be sprayed off have passed beyond the end 13 of the feed troughs they cease to receive any more pulp, but they begin to receive an equal volume of clear water from a stationary pipe 19, which discharges into the several launders 7-7, etc. This clear water passes directly down on to the respective tables of the several series and serves to remove the remaining waste and gangue on the tables, before spraylng off the minerals and other values.

Under some circumstances it may be arranged that the different launders may deliver dierent grades of material to the several tables; or one launder may deliver the same grade to a plurality of tables. In the latter case, of course it might be desirable or necessary to Ljlcorrespondingly increase the size and carrying capacity of that particular launder, and it would receive a correspondingly increased supply of clear water at the right time from the clear water pipe 19. The several wash Water pipes 15 and 19 may connect with the supply pipe 20, and each pipe may have its regulating cock 21.

The tables may be covered with any suitable value-saving and collecting material, such as canvas, and any appropriate means may be employed to detachably secure the canvas to the table.

Where the tables are made individually adjustable, so as to permit the variation of the incline of the tables, suitable end guide strips 16 are employed to prevent the material over-flowing the ends of the tables.

In operation, the frame 2 is set in motion and revolved at substantially uniform speed g the speed to be determined by the size of the machine, and the characteristics of the ore handled. The pulp is delivered at l) into the troughs lllll-llb, and thence fed through the lieXible connections 12---12 12, into the respective launders 7 of the several series of tables. Each launder delivers into its boxes 8, and these boxes discharge on to their respective distributing plates 9, which in turn spread the material to corresponding pairs of tables. By the feed of water, and the centrifugal action, the worthless material is discharged over the rim of the tables, the values and heavier particles of ore collected in the canvas fabric. This separation of the worthless material from the more valuable material takes place during the passage of the tables around the length of the feed. troughs. During that period that no fresh material is delivered on to the tables, the clear water from pipe 19 removes the residue of gangue, and then the sprays from the pipes 15 act to wash off the valuable collections on the tables into suitable stationary collecting troughs 18.

It is understood that the purpose of this apparatus is to make a rough or primary concentration, and it is for use especially with low grade ores.

The stuff collected in the trough 18 has such a percentage of values that its future treatment by more complete concentrating methods is rendered profitable.

This apparatus is practically continuous, and requires little or no attention, and needs but little power to run it.

By arranging the tables in deck formation, one above the other, maximum capacity is had in a minimum amount of space.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a rotatable frame, a horizontal launder, revoluble with said frame, an annular series of tables arranged below the launder and revoluble therewith, said series of tables being disposed one above the other, and each of said tables having a distributing plate proximate to its inner edge, and'adapted to distribute material for each pair of adjacent tables, and a feed box delivering on to said, plates, said launder having divisions corresponding to the respective series of tables and said divisions having feed pipes leading to respective feed boxes.

2. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a rotatable frame, a horizontal launderrevoluble with said frame, an annular series of tables arranged below the launder and revoluble therewith, said series of tables being disposed one above the other and each of said tables having a distributing late proximate to its inner edge and adapte to distribute material for each pair of adjacent tables, 4a feed box delivering on to said plates, said launder having divisions corresponding to the respective series of tables and said divisions having feed pipes leading to respective feed boxes, and means for varying the iinclination of the several tables.

3. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a rotatable frame, a horizontal launder revoluble with said frame, an annular series of tables arranged below the launder and revoluble therewith, said series of tables being disposed one above the other and each of said tables having a distributing plate proximate to its -inner edge and adapted to distribute material for each pair of adjacent tables, a feed box delivering on to said tables, said launder having an undulating bottom and one of the feed boxes being arranged beneath each of said undulations.

4. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a rotatable frame, a horizontal launder revoluble therewith, an annular series of tables below the launder and revoluble With the same, said series of tables being disposed one above the other, and each of said tables having a distributing plate proximate to its inner edge and adapted to distribute material for each pair of adjacent tables, a feed box delivering on to said plates, said launder having an undulating bottom and one of the feed boxes being disposed beneath `each undulation of the launder, a stationary feed trough delivering into a portion of the length of the launder, and means for removing the concentrated values on the tables during the rotation of the frame.

5. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a rotatable frame, a horizontal launder revoluble therewith, an annular series of tables below the launder and revoluble with the same, and each of said tables having a distributing plate proximate to its inner edge and adapted to distribute material for each pair of adjacent tables, a feed box delivering on to said plates, said launder having an undulating bottom and one of the feed boxes being disposed beneath each undulation of the launder, a stationaryT feed trough delivering into a portion of the -length of the launder, `and means for removing the concentrated values on the tables during the rotation of the frame, said last named means comprising a spraying device arranged to act upon the tables during the time that they are practically free from the receipt of any fresh accretions of pulp.

6. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a suitably supported, worm-gear-driven rotary frame, an annular launder carried by the frame and having an undulating bottom with discharge openings in the depressions of the launder, a series of tables arranged circumferentially of the support on to which said launders deliver, a fixed segmental feed trough extending part way around the launder andr discharging thereinto at suitable intervals, a clear water pipe delivering into the launder between the ends of the feed trough, and a stationary spray pipe discharging on to the tables between the ends of the feed trou h and acting on the tables subsequent to t e clear water from said clear water pipe, for removing the values from the table.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of the subscribing witnesses.

v PERLE T. HAMBRIC. /Vitnesses z W. II. WONDERLEY,

M. T. FORMAN, I/V. L. RosE. 

